HOUSTON — Classes at Lamar High School in Houston ISD started hours late on Tuesday because students were being searched for weapons.
The action was taken after two Lamar students were arrested on Monday after being caught with guns, HISD confirmed.
According to court documents, Clifton Andre Skillern, 17, brought a concealed handgun with an extended magazine to Lamar. He is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. The senior was ordered to wear a GPS monitor and stay away from Lamar. He will now be sent to an alternative school.
Skillern went before a judge Wednesday morning and the Harris County District Attorney's Office told KHOU 11 he will be charged as an adult. He faces a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon in a forbidden place. Skillern's bond was originally set at $50,000, but he will get a personal bond, meaning he will be released Thursday afternoon. The DA's office said they disagreed with the judge's decision, citing concerns for community safety.
"He's not to have any contact with Lamar High School, or the other juvenile associated with this case," said Assistant DA Dillan Passmore. "He is under 24-hour house arrest, so he is unable to leave his house except for court and meeting with his attorney."
In an alert sent to parents, HISD said another student was arrested "after a brief off-campus pursuit." That suspect's name isn't being released because they're underage.
Tuesday morning, we heard from frustrated parents upset about long lines at the school on Westheimer near Buffalo Speedway in River Oaks where all students were reportedly being searched with metal detectors. Classes didn't start until around 10:30.
"The amount of kids, they were all over the place," Lamar HS mom Janie Gutierrez said. "Obviously, they want to check them, which is fine, but they have to streamline the process or do something about it."
Gutierrez believes keeping students outside for so long put them at risk.
“For me, it creates a security issue. Like as a mother, I get, I'm worried, you know because you never know who's going to be on the road. Like they're out in public," she told us.
There were also several police officers outside the school. The district said increased patrols and weapons searches at Lamar will continue.
"At the end of the day, we're just trying to keep our kids safe," Gutierrez said.
Alert sent to Lamar High School parents
HISD confirmed that the following alert was sent to parents by Lamar principal Rita Graves on Monday afternoon but wouldn't comment further.
"This is an important message for Lamar High School parents and students from Principal Rita Graves.
"All students and staff are safe, but I do need to make our school community aware of a serious safety incident that occurred this morning. Our campus administration was made aware that a student may attempt to bring a gun to school this morning. HISD PD responded immediately and, after a brief off-campus pursuit, police were able to locate the weapon and detain the student. Administration suspected that another student may also be in possession of a weapon. The student was searched by HISD police on campus and a weapon was confiscated. Both students will be assigned disciplinary actions aligned with the Texas Education Code and have been charged with a felony criminal offense by the District Attorney (DA).
"HISD takes every threat to campus safety seriously and works closely with local law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate and take necessary actions to ensure the safety of all students and staff. As an added precautionary measure, we will have increased on-campus patrols and will be wanding all students with hand-held metal detectors during morning arrival until we are confident this has been resolved. Students may experience a short delay at entry. All students should enter at the Transit Center or on the 2nd level from the garage. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority."
School safety incidents double in September, Texas DPS says
The Texas Department of Public Safety said its iWatchTexas program received a record number of school safety-related reports in September—more than double the previous year's total. The program recorded 204 school safety-related reports statewide, including threats or the possibility of planned attacks on school campuses, DPS said. There were 89 incidents in September of 2023.
DPS’ Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division (ICT) attributes the record-setting numbers to heightened public awareness of both the iWatchTexas program and the importance of being vigilant at schools.
“Looking out for one another – especially in the face of serious threats – is embedded in the spirit of Texas,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Last month’s record number of reports is a testament to the vigilance we have, and need to have, as Texans speak up to help ensure that their families, friends and neighborhoods stay safe."
The iWatchTexas program is a community-based reporting system designed to help Texans alert authorities to suspicious activities that may indicate school safety threats or criminal terroristic threats.
Here are some examples of behaviors and activities to report by calling 1-844-643-2251 or on the iWatchTexas app.
- Comments made regarding killing or harming someone.
- Strangers asking questions about building security features and procedures.
- A social media post about a possible school attack.
- People requesting sensitive information, such as blueprints, security plans or VIP travel schedules, without a need to know.
- Purchasing supplies that could be used to make bombs or weapons or purchasing uniforms without having the proper credentials.
- Taking photographs or videos of security features, such as cameras or checkpoints.
All reports are confidential.
Some of the uptick in September was also likely tied to dozens of copycat hoaxes at schools in Texas and nationwide after the Georgia school shooting last month.